Cephalotaceae

Cephalotaceae is a small family of carnivorous flowering plants in the order Oxalidales. It comprises a single genus, Cephalotus, and a single species, Cephalotus follicularis, commonly known as the Albany pitcher plant. The family is native to southwestern Australia, where its members are adapted to nutrient-poor soils and seasonal moisture.

The plants form low rosettes with leaves that are modified into pitcher-like traps. Each trap is urn-shaped with a curved lid and a narrow entrance. The inner surface of the trap is slippery and often glandular, containing digestive fluids that break down captured prey. Insects attracted to the traps provide supplemental nitrogen and other nutrients in a habitat where soil nutrients are limited.

Taxonomy and nomenclature: Cephalotaceae is a monogeneric family, containing only the genus Cephalotus and the species Cephalotus follicularis. Modern classifications generally place Cephalotaceae within the order Oxalidales, though historical and regional classifications have varied.

Ecology and habitat: Cephalotus follicularis is endemic to southwestern Western Australia, where it inhabits seasonally wet, nutrient-poor soils such as heathlands and swamps. The plant relies on its pitcher traps to supplement nutrient intake and is adapted to a climate with wet winters and dry summers.

Cultivation and conservation: The Albany pitcher plant is cultivated by specialists and can be grown in controlled greenhouse or ornamental settings with high humidity, bright light, and consistently moist, well-drained soil. In the wild, its restricted distribution makes it sensitive to habitat disturbance and environmental changes, underscoring the importance of habitat preservation and careful cultivation practices.